Developing English for Research Publication Purposes in an Outer Circle University Context: Problems and Educational Considerations

Abstract

To publish their research, EFL writers must develop a particular type of English proficiency called English for Research Publication Purposes (ERPP). Despite many advantages of having one research lingua franca, inequalities may occur against writers from particular linguistic or cultural backgrounds. This study, aims to explore problems in research publication from the viewpoints of EFL writers and to evaluate the student writers’ perceptions regarding the efficiency of graduate programs in developing ERPP. For these objectives, interviews with EFL writers including M.A. and Ph.D. students (N=11) majoring in TEFL and their professors (N=5) were conducted to explore their problems in way of publishing their research in international journals. In addition, literature was used to develop a researcher-made survey to evaluate student writers’ perceptions about the efficiency of TEFL graduate programs. Results showed that this group of EFL writers referred to bias as the most important problem they had in international research publication. However, they also agreed that research conducted by EFL writers suffers from many shortcomings. The results also showed that TEFL graduate program was not regarded efficient in developing ERPP in EFL writers. They did not think that their courses had an influential effect on making them international research writers.